Defra accelerates bluetongue diagnosis amid rapid BTV-3 spread in England

Defra has introduced faster diagnosis procedures for bluetongue in England to combat the ongoing spread of BTV-3, including allowing private veterinarians to make initial diagnoses and launching a new online reporting system, while emphasising vaccination as the key protective measure.

Defra has moved to speed up bluetongue diagnosis in England as BTV-3 continues to spread, allowing private veterinarians to make a formal diagnosis on clinical grounds, with the Animal and Plant Health Agency providing confirmation. The department said the aim is to give livestock keepers answers faster and to help them act sooner when infection is suspected. A new online reporting system has also been launched for vets to notify APHA directly.

The change does not amount to a loosening of disease control. Where another notifiable disease, including foot-and-mouth, cannot be ruled out, existing reporting and laboratory testing requirements still apply. Defra will continue to fund tests on up to three animals where suspicious signs are reported.

Ele Brown, deputy UK chief veterinary officer, said bluetongue was “widely circulating in England” and urged farmers to consider vaccination. Defra said vaccination remained “the best tool available” for protecting susceptible livestock.

The measures come against a wider backdrop of disease pressure. Defra said there had been 1,048 confirmed BTV-3 incidents across the UK since early July, with a further 2,046 suspected cases under investigation. Scotland has also tightened its response, establishing a Restricted Zone in the south-west from 10 September and updating movement rules to reflect the changing risk.